The Reds swept everyone aside last season but still went out and spent a colossal amount of cash on new players this summer
It's almost go time! After what has felt like a ridiculously short summer break, the Premier League returns on Friday, when Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield. The Reds romped to the title last season, and the concern for all of their rivals is that Arne Slot now has an even stronger squad at his disposal, with Fenway Sports Group (FSG) having spent big on a number of top talents, including Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
Of course, Viktor Gyokeres is being touted as the prolific striker Arsenal have long needed to get them over the line, Chelsea are newly crowned 'world champions', while Manchester City have continued strengthening their squad. Consequently, a tighter title race is anticipated.
The big question is, though: can anyone stop Liverpool from winning a record-breaking 21st English championship? GOAL writers pick their title winners and top-four finishers.
Getty Images Sport'New era of success at Anfield'
Mark Doyle: Liverpool will win the league again – but they won't run away with it like last season. Arsenal finally have a prolific No.9, Manchester City haven't stopped spending since January, while Chelsea's Club World Cup win proved there is method to the transfer market madness at Stamford Bridge. Still, while the title race will be a lot closer, Liverpool should still finish first, just ahead of Arsenal, City and Chelsea (in that order). The Reds have not only spent big, they've also bought wonderfully well. Injuries could obviously change things – particularly if the Reds go deep in the Champions League this year – but Slot won the title with one new signing; he could claim multiple trophies with the significantly strengthened squad at his disposal. We really could be witnessing the dawn of a new era of sustained success at Anfield.
AdvertisementAFP'City will fall to fourth'
James Westwood: Liverpool were comfortably the best team in the league last season, and that will be the case again after their £300m splurge in the transfer window (even if Alexander Isak doesn't complete their summer business). Meanwhile, Arsenal's long-awaited purchase of a proper No.9 in Viktor Gyokeres should get them second for a fourth year running, and Chelsea will break back into the top three after significantly bolstering their own attack. But Manchester City will drop to fourth as Pep Guardiola continues to fumble his first proper rebuild.
Getty Images Sport'Liverpool to get even stronger'
Amee Ruszkai: Liverpool are my favourites to win the Premier League again this year. The Reds were excellent last season, I like their transfer business and expect that they will get stronger in Arne Slot's second campaign. Manchester City and Arsenal have also made strong signings and both should push Liverpool close in a better title race, but I was really impressed with the champions last year and think it will take something special to usurp them. Chelsea, who should kick on after Enzo Maresca's first year in charge, complete the set, with their Club World Cup triumph showcasing their potential.
Getty Images Sport'Difficult to back against Liverpool'
Sean Walsh: There's a world where Liverpool's big spending backfires and disrupts the flow of their squad-building, but that's not a prospect I'm willing to bet on right now. I'd rather predict they win the league and have them prove the world wrong. The rest of the top four feels like it picks itself at this stage, though after-effects of the Club World Cup could drag Chelsea and Manchester City back into a Champions League scrap.
